Dear colleagues,

This week, we share several research administration updates presented at the Research Administration Forum, hosted by the UCLA Office of Research Administration. These updates include a time sensitive advocacy opportunity in support of SB 895 - California Science & Health Research Bond Act, changes to the state of California’s facilities and administrative rate, a reminder about the new National Institutes of Health (NIH) unified funding strategy, and invitations to engage with research sponsors through upcoming webinars and workshops. To view the full presentation from this month’s Research Administration Forum, click here.

Time Sensitive Advocacy Opportunity: SB 895 – California Science & Health Research Bond Act

The research community is invited to participate in advocacy efforts in support of SB 895, the California Science & Health Research Bond Act, which has been introduced in the state legislature and is sponsored by the University of California. If passed, SB 895 would place a $23 billion bond on the November General Election ballot to establish the California Foundation for Science and Health Research which will competitively fund lifesaving scientific and medical research that benefits the health of communities across the state.

The bill will be heard in the Senate Health Committee on March 25. It is critical that we contact committee members now to express support for SB 895. UCLA and UCLA Health Government Relations have prepared background information, contact details for key legislators, and a sample email to assist those interested in engaging. Since the Senate Health Committee is considering the bill first, advocacy efforts should focus on committee members at this stage.

Additional details, including priority contacts, guidance on personalizing messages, and how to sign on in support, are available at the link below.

State of California F&A Rate Increase Effective July 1, 2026

In coordination with the CSU system, UC’s have set the standard indirect cost rates (F&A) for state funded awards using a modified total direct cost (MTDC) base. The current on-campus MTDC rate is 35% for projects funded by the state of California. However, effective July 1, 2026, the on-campus indirect cost rate is increasing to 40% of MTDC. Off campus projects remain capped at 25% of MTDC.

For multiyear projects, investigators are asked to use the rate in effect at the time of award. If an award is sponsored through federal funds, please use the UC's federally negotiated facilities and administrative rate which remains in force during the current year, and not the state MTDC rate. We encourage you to read full details here and include the appropriate F&A rate when preparing your proposal budgets.

Reminder: Implementation of the new NIH Unified Funding Strategy

Last November, the NIH announced that it will use a unified, agency‑wide approach to make funding decisions across its Institutes and Centers. While peer review scores and critiques remain central, final funding decisions also consider NIH strategic priorities, program balance, investigator career stage, workforce sustainability, and available funds. As a result, funding decisions are not based on scores alone, and paylines may be used differently across Institutes. Click to learn more about the institutes and centers and the NIH’s approach to funding decisions. To understand the correlation between these changes and actual awards, the department will be collecting scores on every submitted Federal grant application. Your Division chief will be asking your fund manager to obtain this information as soon as they become available.

As you explore federal funding opportunities, we encourage you to use the NIH RePORTER Matchmaker tool which can help identify which NIH ICO may be interested in a research idea, provide leads for program officials, and recommend study sections for application review.

Reminder: Complete Your RPPR’s by Required Deadline

NIH has recently sent automated emails to investigators with overdue research performance progress reports (RPPR), indicating that delayed submission could result in funding reductions. Please ensure your RPPR is submitted promptly to avoid any interruption to your award.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Provide Your Feedback: NIH Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027 – 2031

The NIH is in the process of developing a new strategic plan for FY 2027-2031 and is inviting the research community to provide input. Join one of two webinars with NIH leadership to learn about the proposed high-level framework, learn how the plan will be developed, and ask questions during a live Q&A. Registration is required.

Meet the Funders: American Diabetes Association Virtual Information Session, Monday, March 16, 2026, 12 pm – 1 pm

Faculty are invited to a virtual information session with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) focused on research funding opportunities and the grant application process. ADA funding supports early-career investigators, postdoctoral fellowships, and investigator-initiated research, with an emphasis on clinical and translational diabetes research. ADA representatives and recent UCLA Health grant awardees will present to answer questions during a live Q&A.

UCLA CTSI K/CDA Grant Writing Workshop, Thursday June 11,2026

The UCLA CTSI is hosting a two-part virtual K/CDA Grant Writing Workshop on June 11, 2026, designed to help investigators prepare competitive NIH K award applications. Sessions will cover navigating the K award process, mentorship, writing strategies, reviewer perspectives and available CTSI resources.

Early registration deadline: Individualized review of draft K specific aims is available for those who register by 5 pm on Monday, May 28, 2026.

General registration deadline: If you are not submitting draft K specific aims, the registration deadline is 5 pm on June 10, 2026.

As we continue to navigate the new federal funding landscape, we encourage you to continue to explore new tools, resources, and opportunities that will advance your research activities and strengthen the research mission in our department. You are always welcomed to contact us or our DoM Office of Research Administration if you have any questions about the latest updates.

Sincerely,

E. Dale Abel, MD, PhD
William S. Adams Distinguished Professor of Medicine
Chair and Executive Medical Director
Department of Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and UCLA Health

Judith S. Currier, MD
Professor of Medicine
Executive Vice Chair for Research, Department of Medicine
Sue and Michael Steinberg Chair in Global AIDS Research

Gregory A. Brent, MD
Senior Executive Academic Vice Chair
Department of Medicine
Professor of Medicine and Physiology
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA